Tag Archives: Family Trees

The DNA and Mental Health Benefits in Genealogy and Ancestry research

Join us for the free, final weekend workshop The Good Genes Genealogy Services duo and Atlanta’s Hillside International Truth Center team up for the last weekend of the free genealogy workshops. The hour-long session is designed to inspire the beginners to seasoned genealogy researchers, and provide everyone with the tools to dig deeper into theirContinue reading “The DNA and Mental Health Benefits in Genealogy and Ancestry research”

How to interview your family members

It’s tough to ask tough questions Have you ever wanted to ask questions of your relatives and backed away because it was not “a good time?” We have. It’s time to get busy. Grab a notepad, make sure your audio and video recorders are sufficiently stocked with new batteries, put on your listening ears andContinue reading “How to interview your family members”

Key to breaking “brick walls”: Ancestry and genealogy information collectors

Get forms for family research Go to the Good Genes Genealogy Services website and utilize the forms that we made available especially for participants in our two-part Sankofa Genealogy workshop in partnership with Hillside International Truth Center. Since the first workshop on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, several participants have telephoned, texted, emailed and visited theirContinue reading “Key to breaking “brick walls”: Ancestry and genealogy information collectors”

Helping children plant and build their photo and other modern family trees

Ann of the Good Genes Genealogy Services team began her interest in family genealogy at the age of 10. After asking her mother and paternal grandfather separate questions about their childhoods, siblings, families and more, Ann did not receive the replies she expected. In both cases, I could hear crickets (old schoolers will get theContinue reading “Helping children plant and build their photo and other modern family trees”

Free worksheet to uncover the hard-to-find, brick wall family information

One of the best, free worksheets to conquer brick walls in Black genealogy searches is found in the easy-to-access and free databases of the National Archives. This worksheet is different from the family tree form that was recommended on this site via our post on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. Both forms — the family treeContinue reading “Free worksheet to uncover the hard-to-find, brick wall family information”

How our ancestors’ Christmas traditions brightened our lives

“When I was a child, I remember my grandmother giving each of her grandchildren a large candy cane and $5 in an envelope. It didn’t matter how young or old we were, we all waited for and loved getting this gift at Christmas,” said Veverly Byrd-Davis of her grandmother who is now one of ourContinue reading “How our ancestors’ Christmas traditions brightened our lives”

Closing the Month of Sankofa with Ancestral Prayer and Healing

On a warm Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, Hillside’s Presiding Bishop Dr. Jack L. Bomar, led the sacred, community “Ancestral Prayer” ceremony. It included drumming that girded the rhymical and ancestral honoring blessings with the pouring of libations by Hillside member Sharon A. Smith. Today, she said, “I am the High Priestess” while acknowledging the oldestContinue reading “Closing the Month of Sankofa with Ancestral Prayer and Healing”

The family history in Sankofa Genealogy

PRESENTED BY VALERIE TOLIVER IN THE FORM OF A COLLAGE During the month of February 2022, Good Genes Genealogy Services presented three Saturday virtual classes involving family ancestry and genealogy. Theme: “Walk With Our Ancestors Participants: Adults. Assignment: Express families’ histories in varied formats. Others showcased their various projects. All shared with classmates to sparkContinue reading “The family history in Sankofa Genealogy”